Casey has done a beautiful rendition of Morning Sun from the Ode to Quetzalcoatl Lp.
A link to this song will be featured in this interview. Casey has his own home studio where he crafts his art. So, let’s get into the interview.
Thank you for doing this interview. When did you start playing the guitar and what other instruments do you play?
Thank you so much for including me in Harbinger Magazine! I received my first guitar as a gift from my uncle when I was twelve. I dabbled with it for a few years, but it wasn’t until I was cast as Dewey Finn in a production of School of Rock at the age of sixteen that I began seriously learning and honing my skills. Although my main instrument is guitar, I first learned music on the piano which I still play. In addition, I play the drums, bass guitar and other similar stringed instruments.
Where were you born and where do you live now?
I’m grateful to have been born and raised in the very artistic and musical city of Akron, Ohio, where I still live today.
Tell us about your education goals at Kent State University?
I am currently a senior in the Music Technology program at Kent State University. Between my concentration in Audio Recording and guitar, among other things, I have had the opportunity to grow my skills as both an audio engineer and performer. This unique aspect of degree has opened numerus career opportunities and has inspired and equipped me to become the artist that I am today.
What inspired you to focus on jazz?
While studying guitar at Kent State, I was exposed to many genres, including jazz. Since then, I have fallen in love with the style and have been absorbed by the music ever since! For me, jazz has allowed me to freely express myself through the music unlike any other genre before. This artistic outlet inspires me to further my skills every day and to strive for excellence.
Who are some of your favored artists and/or bands?
Like every musician, my musical tastes have evolved extensively. Growing up, I listened to a lot of classic rock and folk artists like The Eagles, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd. Currently my musical digest has grown, with my favorite artist ranging from Bill Evans, Chet Baker and John Coltrane to Mac DeMarco, Men I Trust, Tame Impala and even Alice in Chains.
Tell us about your home studio.
There’s nothing to keep you busy like a home studio, I could talk about gear for days! I first began building my home studio in January of 2022 while taking my first audio recording Course. At the time I had a small four channel interface which I recorded into a free DAW called Cakewalk. Not long after I began to frequent sites such as Facebook Market Place and Reverb, searching for deals on used recording equipment. I later upgraded to a few different vintages consoles such as the Tascam Model 3 and M308B which I had paired with an old Echo AudioFire 12. I stated to amass a wide array classic workhorse microphones and outboard pieces such as mic preamps and compressors, which have all greatly impacted the quality of my recordings. My current studio is called Cliffside Sound and is located in the first level of my home where I have a dedicated control room as well as an isolated live room for tracking. With Pro Tools as my DAW of choice, the recording chain revolves around a 20 channel Tascam M320B analog console, an Antelope Audio Orion 32 converter, all monitored through Adam Audio A7Xs and Yamaha NS10s. I absolutely love having the ability to record and produce my own material at home. I find that the recording side of music can often be just as artistic as the performing side and being able to capture creative lightning when it strikes is priceless!
What are your future goals and plans?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Music Technology, I hope to pursue a graduate degree in performance to further my musicianship and career. In addition to my academic endeavors, I have a band named Lady Lyre. Originally formed in 2020, Lady Lyre began playing music in the style so classic rock, later releasing our debut, self-titled rock EP, ‘Lady Lyre’. Since then the group has undergone many stylistic and personnel changes. As I have evolved as a musician, so has my band. Today, Lady Lyre is comprised of myself and a few of my good friends from music school. We are currently recording our latest album which will feature our brand new fusion sound, rooted in the musical traditions of jazz, funk and soul.
Tell us about your discovery of the Ode to Quetzalcoatl Lp?
I stumbled upon Ode to Quetzalcoatl one day on Spotify. Immediately, I was immersed in the rich and unique sound of the Lp. Not only did the lyrics speak to me but the production and musicality was inspiring.
What inspired you to record Morning Sun?
Without a doubt, my favorite song on the Lp is Morning Sun. I have always wanted to cover the tune and finally decided to perform it, trying my best to emulate the analog production and artistic emotion captured in the original recording.
How do we find your music online?
To learn more about me and to hear my music please visit Caseyha.com and Ladylyre.com and follow my Instagram accounts @Caseyha, @Ladylyreband and @Cliffsidesound.
In closing is there anything you would like to say to our readers?
I am blessed to be able to live a life of music and I hope continue to do so for the rest of my life. Music has taken me places that I never would have imagined and I look forward to what is next. Art is a gift and I encourage everyone to pursue their musical dreams!
By David Bixby
Dave Bixby 